Despite the tricky draw, and Japan's failure to win a World Cup finals match on foreign soil, coach Takeshi Okada was confident they could make the semi-finals.

"It will be the fourth World Cup finals for Japan and we are aiming for a top-four spot," Okada said.

"We don't intend to change our goal and we continue to aim for a top-four spot."

BIGGER DISAPPOINTMENT

However, former coach Ivica Osim, who had to step down due to illness in 2007, dampened Okada's optimistic prediction.

"The bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment," the Bosnian told Japanese media.

"Japan is capable of pulling off a surprise but to get to where Japan is trying to go they will need a trampoline."

The Blue Samurai start their campaign against Cameroon in Bloemfontein on June 14 followed by matches against the Dutch in Durban on June 19 and Denmark in Rustenburg on June 24.

Should Japan make it through the group a meeting with holders Italy is likely to await them in the round of 16.

Rank outsiders North Korea, making their first appearance at the finals since 1966, were given the toughest draw of the three Northeast Asian sides in Group G.

North Korea open with a mouth-watering match against five-times champions Brazil at Ellis Park on June 15 before facing Portugal in Cape Town on June 21 and finishing the group against Ivory Coast in Nelspruit four days later.

Australia, the fourth team to qualify from the Asia zone, were drawn in a difficult Group D with Germany, Ghana and Serbia.